Beach weather + spiderweb parks
Plus, some basics of child development to add to your parenting toolbox
I hope you know how much YOU influence what I share in this newsletter. From answering my polls or questions on social media and here, to interacting with past newsletters, to sending me a quick note on something that helped you.
I take it all into account and I don’t really plan what I’m going to publish too far ahead. I know it would make my life easier, but I feel like I want to respond to what’s top of your mind the week I post and if I work ahead I might miss it!
So beaches are what I have for you this week! It feels like toes in the sand might be something you didn’t know you needed.
I also learned about a new young fan of spiderweb parks, so I had to update my list to share with that family so thought I would share with you, too!
In play,
Michele
As a friendly reminder, make sure you ALWAYS check official sources when you are heading out to any of the locations I share. These are merely suggestions. Only you know what works for your family. Plus, your experience may not be the same as mine — and there can be changes to the hours or unforeseen circumstances or conditions at the suggested locations.
Fun Question of the Week
This is just something fun to start the newsletter each week!
LAST WEEK’S QUESTION: Do you think this weekly newsletter is too long?
Well, 88% of you were a combo of “Not really an issue for me” or “Long is fine”! Thanks for indulging me and supporting whatever space I need! Don’t worry. I’ll try not to get too carried away for the 12% who said “Shorter would be better.” I hope you’re having fun with the questions! I always love to hear your opinions and guesses.
Play Trips: Beaches in spring
Yes, it’s still spring break for some which means they might be busier than they have been especially with this lovely weather — however, it’s also going to be way less busy than summer.
Here’s another post, if you are actually thinking about putting your toes in the ocean!
For fun . . . an excerpt from my blog back in May 2011! This month marks 17 years of writing about parks and play.
Beach, Baby!
I’m a beach baby. A California girl. And now I have proof (see photo below)! My parents just scanned a huge stack of our old photos and I’m LOVING all the play memories and looking back on all our family fun. Wow! Thanks, Mom and Dad!
So this weekend, I’m escaping from the normal grind. My plan is to unplug and be out there! There are 3 things on my list that I hope every family gets a chance to do this weekend:
1. Experience a sunset – Notice that I didn’t write “see a sunset.” I mean really appreciate it in all its amazing beauty.
2. Take a family stroll – Sooooo simple. Just take a little walk. It can be around the block or at the beach. No need to make it a big production. Take notice of the world around you. Even bring a magnifying glass for the kids to check out things along the way. Don’t rush. It’s a stroll, not a hike! [And 14 years after writing this post, I now have mini trail guides for these little strolls that in the archive with your paid subscription or get the 1st Tiny Hikes printable guidebook in the bookshop.]
3. Eat outside – A lunch picnic, a dinner picnic, snacking at a Farmer’s Market, a family barbecue, or even outdoor seating at a restaurant! I even like to bring our breakfast outdoors.
Still works for 2025!
Spiderweb parks
One of you shared with me that your kids were enjoying the climber at Portola Park in Lake Forest/Portola Hills which prompted me to update my “spiderweb parks” list! What did I miss? Any to add?
PLAY: Figuring out child development
This is the section of the newsletter where we talk about PLAY or connecting to nature each week. I might share a video, an article, a book, or something inspiring. Just trying to help keep you empowered to prioritize play to benefit development and preserve childhood!
I feel like we do a good job of knowing all the stages of pregnancy and “what to expect when you’re expecting” but then we don’t always get general education about the development that comes after.
I think knowing child development ages & stages (or milestones) can be a key to taking some of the friction away from your days as a parent or caregiver! It can also help you to understand if something feels “off” and get early intervention when you or your child needs support.
I’ll actually spend the next few newsletters talking about this, because I think it’s so important as related not only to PLAY and childhood, in general, but took so much pressure off my parenting! In fact, I asked for your recommendations for child development books! Now I need to review them and have some ideas of my own to share — but let’s start with the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) Child Development Guide.
That is a website and free resource you can refer to any time! As an introduction, it says: “Children reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, act and move. All children develop at their own pace, but these milestones give you a general idea of the changes to expect as your child grows.”
I want to make sure you understand that these are only things that you might notice as your child grows — NOT an achievement to be reached or skill to be pushed! It’s more like something to observe & note as it naturally happens. A typically developing child will reach some milestones early, some late, and some right on time. Scroll down that CHOC page to get to the What to Expect at Every Stage section!
You can pick any age Newborn through 18. Let’s click on 2 Years! Here is what you will learn:
What Can My 2-Year-Old Child Do at This Age?
What Can My 2-Year-Old Child Say?
What Does My 2-Year-Old Child Understand?
How Does My 2-Year-Old Child Interact With Others?
Movement and Coordination in a 2-year-old
How Is My Child Moving?
How Can I Encourage My Child?
How Long Should My 2-Year-Old Child Sleep?
How Can I Help Increase My 2-Year-Old Child’s Learning And Emotional Security?
How to best use this information? Hopefully, learning your child’s developmental stages won’t seem too overwhelming — and may possibly feel very common sense and simple. Don’t fight it or make it any more complicated! It actually is relatively simple and not something you need to do anything about — other than let it happen. And you’ll kind of have a-ha moments when you notice it’s happening. The cool part is that it can also help you know when to adjust your expectations and interactions!
For instance, on the 1 Year Old page it says:
By 18 months understands one-step questions and commands such as “Where is the ball?”
By 24 months understands two-step questions and commands such as “Go to your room and get your shoes.”
So this gives you some context to them growing up and what their brains and bodies can and can’t do at different ages. So if they are 16 months and they don’t respond to your 2-step commands, then you will remember that it’s not actually probable that they will be able to do that! It will help you match your parenting to their actual developmental stage! There will be less friction just from you knowing what they are actually capable of doing.
Fun Fact: Did you know playgrounds are rated for 2-5 year olds or 5-12 year olds? Some of it is about the size of the equipment, but a lot of the design is actually based on developmental abilities at those ages. Did you see on the 2 Year Old page where it says “What Can My 2-Year-Old Child Do at This Age?” and one of the bullet points is: “Climbs on playground structures.”
You can also consult Pretend City’s Developmental Screenings and events that focus on child development.
[You will get a lot of this info at your regular pediatric well-checks! Always talk to your doctor about your individual situation! This isn’t meant to be medical advice at all and it’s mainly just a tool to add to your parenting toolbox. I like to share resources that helped me and my parenting journey!]
Play News + Libraries/Museums/Public Lands
In an already crowded field of “calls to action” during these times — our local Environmental Nature Center (ENC) is asking for support from the community, especially Newport Beach families. Just wanted to make you aware and share the link.
Libraries Update
Last week I shared about the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences (IMLS). In response, “The American Library Association (ALA) and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), whose members include museum and library workers nationwide, have sued” with the lawsuit arguing “that the administration’s recent actions—which include firing most IMLS staff, terminating grant programs, and effectively shutting down the organization’s operations—are both illegal and, separately, unconstitutional.” Here’s an article with more details.
I also shared about the state impacts of that federal action at the California State Library with grants cut and then this week, I read a letter from the Placentia Library Director dated April 7th about those cuts having notable potential impact locally. There are probably other impacted libraries, but that is just the one I read about here.
Public Lands and REI Updates
Here is a rundown of what Interior Secretary Borghum has in mind for our public lands from @resistancerangers on Instagram. Read the caption as well as the carousel of their post. And, here is the link to the actual meeting on April 9th.
After REI’s leadership initially endorsed Borghum, REI’s new CEO retracted the endorsement and issued this apology. Board elections are happening now and close on May 1st. If you are a co-op member, you are eligible to vote. Here is the REI Union page with voting information.
Summer camps
Play-Filled Extras are waiting below this paywall each week for all paid subscribers. And the guide is actually included in your annual subscription. Thanks for your support!